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Select a section which is of interest to you and scroll down to access the information. For further advice and guidance contact us directly at:

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Select a section which is of interest to you and scroll down to access the information. For further advice and guidance contact us directly at:

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Main Office: 1b Mitre Court, Lichfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2LZ

Telephone: Birmingham: +44 121 354 2442
Oxford: +44 1235 841595
National Enquiries: 0345 5571253

Email: helpdesk@csr-group.co.uk

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Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum Vitae - Latin - Course of Life
Did you know, on average, recruiters spend just 75 seconds reading your CV? This means you have just over a minute to sell yourself and your strengths to the reader.
So anytime invested here, is time well spent.

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Length. Ensure your CV is no more than two pages long.

Layout. Put your name at the top and make it larger, centralised and bold. Next should come your email address and contact number.

Personal statement. Write a brief personal statement directly under your contact details. Make sure it’s no more than five sentences long and should cover who you are, what you can bring to the table and your career aims.

Employment history. List your most recent role first and, in terms of layout, list your job title and company of employment in bold, with dates of employment in brackets. Include any key points that may resonate with the prospective employer.

Education. Include qualification, subject, grade, institution and date. Embellishing your grades is fraud and you may get caught out

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CV Template Use the attached template to create your own CV or to check against

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CV Template Use the attached template to create your own CV or to check against

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With three quarters of CVs rejected due to bad grammar, spelling or poor visual layout, it is essential to proofread before you send. Find someone else to proofread your CV too.

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Access one free review by uploading your CV to;

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Our Service Promise

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

You can buy with confidence. Helping you get your new job is our ambition and we're 100% committed to your success. All our CV writing services aim to significantly improve your chances of getting the interviews you deserve. The vast majority of our customers are happy with our products first time but if you require any changes you can liaise with your CV writer to make as many amendments as you need for the next two weeks after delivery. It's yet another reason you've chosen the best CV writing service. Give us a call on 0845 436 0136 to find out how we can help you.

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100% Satisfaction Guaranteed You can buy with confidence. Helping you get your new job is our ambition and we're 100% committed to your success. All our CV writing services aim to significantly improve your chances of getting the interviews you deserve.

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Explore the information to help sell yourself in a science field!

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How to write a Science CV | CV Writing | Jobs In Science

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Jobs in Science are a specialist employment agency for science companies across the UK. Learn how to write a Science CV.
View our tips for CV Writing for Jobs in Science.

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The Do's and Don'ts of searching for that perfect job.

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The Do's and Don'ts of searching for that perfect job.

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Job searching can be frustrating – whether you’re an experienced job-seeker or completely new to the working world. The key to success? Knowing where, and how, to look effectively.
To make sure you know exactly how to tailor your search, here’s a list of job search dos and don’ts:

Do

Use the filters – Most job sites will offer filtering options that allow users to tailor search results to their specific requirements. Alongside searching for your preferred job title and location, you should also make use of job type, salary, and suitability tools, to provide you with the most personalised results.

Set up daily alerts – Never see your job search as a one day task. Although it might seem more convenient to just dedicate a few hours to your applications – this definitely isn’t the most effective method. You’ll limit yourself to a smaller number of vacancies, and won’t be able to see new roles as they come up. So, search as frequently as possible, and use daily email alerts to ensure you don’t miss out.

Think outside the box – Using the job title to search is fine as a starting point, but it never hurts to try different ways of saying the same thing – i.e. alternate phrasing/wording. Use keyword searching to pinpoint roles looking for specific skills, responsibilities or qualifications, and you’ll end up with a much more suitable set of results.

Make sure your preferred sectors are accurate – Whether it’s that you’re not 100% sure on your ideal job title, or you just want to be found by recruiters from outside your favoured industry, taking the time to edit your sector preferences should never be overlooked. What’s more, as many jobs span different sectors, pigeonholing yourself into one area might just be limiting your results – regardless of your overall suitability.

Start being specific – If you’re getting too many irrelevant results, it could be that your search is just not specific enough. Instead of wading through a large list to find the ones you want, consider narrowing your search. Sometimes a slight adjustment to simple things like location, or adding in a few extra keywords (see: Boolean searching) can make a big difference to what’s available.

Don’t

Apply for every job you see – Rushed job applications are unlikely to impress any hiring manager, so sending out as many as you can (as quickly as you can) could mean that you miss out on the job you actually want. If you don’t take the time to gain a thorough idea of what each role entails, you might end up applying for unsuitable positions – which is only wasting your time, as well as the hiring manager’s.

Forget to complete your profile – Having a full and comprehensive profile will avoid the danger of underselling yourself, or not providing enough information to validate a recruiter’s consideration. An unfinished profile is only likely to indicate a lack of effort to prospective employers, and just means you’ll miss out on another way to leave them with a good impression.

Tell everyone about it – Although venting your job search frustrations on social media or to your colleagues can seem like a great way to let off steam, it’s unlikely to ever end well. Not only will potential employers be able to view your online profiles, your current one will too, so don’t give them a reason to doubt your professionalism. Bottom line – whether it’s good or bad news, always keep your job search activity private when it comes to social media.

Expect an instant reply – Remember: the recruitment process takes time. If you spend a week job searching and are wondering why you haven’t heard back from anyone yet, don’t panic. Responses can take up to six weeks to come through and in some instances, even longer. Stay motivated and patient, and most importantly, don’t let a long response time leave you despondent.

Have your profile hidden – Sometimes your CV or profile can be hidden on a job site without you even realising it. Unless you have a good reason for not making it visible to recruiters, it’s always best to leave this box un-ticked in your profile’s privacy settings. Then, you’ll get the most coverage possible, and won’t risk missing out on your perfect opportunity.

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Stem Women https://www.stemwomen.co.uk/jobs
Wise Campaign - Stem Jobs
https://jobs.wisecampaign.org.uk/

Stem Graduates
https://www.stemgraduates.co.uk/jobs/

Find an apprenticeship
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Linkedin
https://uk.linkedin.com/

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Browse thousands of internships and graduate jobs!

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So the next step after job search is the job application. Once again there are so many things that should be considered. Click on the video below to get some hints and tips on applying for that job.

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Job Application Do's and Don'ts - iMPact Recruiter Video Tip

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Some companies require you to not only complete an application form but to send in a cover letter to support your application. Cover letters can be as important to your job application as your CV. But, how to write a cover letter?
Not only do you have to make sure it sells your skills and abilities to recruiters, you also need to do it in a clear and concise manner – that ultimately persuades the reader to want to meet you.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started on writing one:

First things first, you need to do your research.

Take some time to look into the role you’re applying for and the company – and use this information to tailor your cover letter accordingly.

When writing a cover letter, you should find out:

What does the company do?

Who are their competitors?

Who are their target audience?

What does the role involve?

What are the essential skills?

Once you’ve found answers to these questions, you’ll be able to make it clear in your cover letter how your skills and abilities match up with what the employer is looking for.

Not only will doing research give you the knowledge you need to tailor your cover letter and CV to the style of the company, it also demonstrates that you’ve got a real interest in the specific role and company.

Download the sample cover letter that you may like to base your next cover letter on.

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So, your CV has got you through the door but, if your fail to prepare then prepare to fail!

Fully planning for an interview will not only improve the quality of your answers, it will enable you to feel more relaxed and in control on the day.

But what exactly do you need to do?

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Start planning as soon as you are offered an interview

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Start planning as soon as you are offered an interview

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Explore the website above for a very useful checklist

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This pre-interview preparation checklist is going to show you exactly what to do before your interview to walk in confident, over-prepared, and ready to get hired.

If you have interviews coming up, this will help you immediately.

Let's get started...

Job Interview Preparation Checklist:

1. Research the company

Methods to research the company before your job interview:

Also find their competitors. I like to use similarweb.com for this. (note: this works best for finding competitors of large companies).

What to look for when researching (e.g. questions you should be able to answer before your interview!)

Who's their CEO?

When and why were they founded?

Where is their headquarters?

Do they have multiple locations? Where? (just get a general idea)

What do they sell, how do they make money?

Do they have a mission statement? What is it?

How many employees do they have? (get a general idea - is it less than 200? thousands? more than 10,000? etc. You can usually find this quickly on LinkedIn).

Okay, that's how to research a company before the job interview.

Let's move on to the next part of the job interview preparation checklist...

2. Review your own resume

If they invited you to interview, they liked something on your resume! So they're probably going to ask about certain pieces.

They're also likely to ask a question like, " tell me about yourself ", and you'll need to be ready to walk them step-by-step through your recent experience and accomplishments. So make sure you're familiar with your own resume before going into the interview.

And if it's a phone interview, print out your resume and have it in front of you.

3. Think about facts, figures and accomplishments you can talk about

Hiring managers love this stuff. You should already have this on your resume, but either way - prepare specific stories and facts/metrics you can share.

Don't just say "in my last job I was responsible for ___".

What did you accomplish? Give exact data. Did you exceed your goals? By how much?

Did you help the company make money, save money, save time, etc.? How can you quantify this? That's how to impress them and get noticed.

4. Find out who you're speaking with

If possible, research the people you'll be speaking to. Check out their background on LinkedIn. Are they more of a technical person, or do they have a background in HR, etc.?

This will help you anticipate what types of questions they will ask.

If you don't know who you're going to be speaking with, ask whoever scheduled the interview for you. They might not be able to tell you, but there's no harm in asking.

I'll cover more about how to prepare for the questions you're likely to face later in this interview preparation checklist.

5. Prepare great questions to ask them

Here are the 105 best questions to ask in an interview.

You should have a mix of questions about the job, the group/team, and the company.

Don't ask about things like salary, benefits, working hours, etc. It'll make you seem more concerned about this stuff, and less concerned about the actual job.

Employers want to hire someone who is focused on coming in and helping them succeed. You need to play the game if you want to get hired.

Let them bring up salary, benefits, etc. (usually after a couple rounds of interviews once they know they're interested).

You might be reading this thinking "I don't like this advice. I want to ask."

6. Think about previous interviews and questions they asked

If this is your first interview with a company, you can skip this step.

If you've had other interviews with this company... think about what they asked you and seemed to emphasize. If they asked you multiple questions about a topic, it's likely to be something they care a lot about.

So if you're speaking to somebody new in this interview, expect similar questions. Don't assume you're "safe" just because someone asked you about a topic in a previous interview. You will probably be asked again.

7. Review the job description

While we're talking about knowing what they're likely to ask... I want to mention another place to get clues about what to expect: the job description.

This is one of the most important parts of any job interview preparation checklist. Go read the job description and see what they mention most often, and what they emphasize or mention first in the bullets and requirements.

Those are also things you're likely to hear a lot of questions about, so practice those topics the most!

Now, The Most Important Part Of The Interview Preparation Checklist...

8. Prepare for the common questions

Employers ask a lot of the same questions in every industry. Practice so that you're not caught-off guard by anything in the first 5-10 minutes.
Here is a free download of the top 30 questions to know. Questions you NEED to be able to answer if you expect to get hired:
9. Be ready to explain any previous job changes

Questions like " why did you leave your last position?" are extremely common.

So be ready to explain any past job changes, layoffs, promotions, or other moves you've made either within a company, or between companies.

So as a final step, pretend you're the hiring manager looking at your resume, what would they ask about your work history? That's what to be ready for!

Example: Let's say you had a Manager position, and then changed companies and became an individual contributor and no longer managed anyone. They're probably going to ask why.

It's not bad that you made this move, but it's bad if you cannot explain it. Maybe it paid more. Maybe management isn't your strength and you wanted to develop other skills, etc. But be ready to explain!

Final Interview Preparation Steps

10. Get your outfit ready

Make sure your clothes are clean, professional and wrinkle-free.

Don't wear anything distracting like big earrings or bright colors/patterns.

And dress a little nicer than you think you need to.

If the employees at a company wear jeans, it doesn't mean you should wear jeans to the interview. The interview is not the same as a regular day at work. Dress well! If you have any doubt, wear a suit.

11. Map out how you'll get there

If you're late, you will not get hired. So make sure you know how you'll get there, and prepare to leave enough time.

If you're taking a train, or driving a new route, or commuting some other way to get to the interview, make sure you know how you're doing it.

And if this is a very important interview, you could even do a trial-run. Make the commute a few days before the interview to make sure nothing unexpected happens.

What next?

Using the steps above will help you feel more confident walking into your interview, and you'll make fewer mistakes that could cost you the job.

Use this checklist to review before each interview. One cool thing that you'll notice as you go - a lot of these steps get easier, or don't need to be repeated as you go on more interviews.

As a final note:

If you want to gain an even bigger advantage in every interview you go on, I put together a step-by-step interview guide with ALL my best strategies and tips in one single place. You can get more details here.

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Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Checklist

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This pre-interview preparation checklist is going to show you exactly what to do before your interview to walk in confident, over-prepared, and ready to get hired. If you have interviews coming up, this will help you immediately. Let's get started... Methods to research the company before your job interview: Also find their competitors.

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The following questions are general and are used in nearly every industry for nearly every role. That's because recruiters ask these questions to gauge your overall experience, personality and ability to handle workplace scenarios. Here are some of the most common interview questions you should prepare for:

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Session 13 Overview  Example interview questions

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Take time to thank the company for giving you the opportunity. You can do this as you leave, in writing or by email. This is courtesy and ensures the employer knows you are still interested.

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How to prepare for a university interview

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How to prepare for a university interview

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University interviews can differ, vastly from job applications. In nursing, for example, you may be asked to take part in a range of case studies. Use the UCAS website or The Student Room for top tips and guidance.

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Been invited to an interview by a uni and juggling feelings of satisfaction, panic and terror all at once? Get ready with these university interview tips...

While it's natural to be nervous, having an idea of what to expect can help you to shine on the day. Remember that receiving an interview invite means that admissions tutors are impressed with your application so far and you're in the running for receiving an offer. This is good news!

Here are some university interview tips to get you ready, including what you should wear, questions to prep for and how to perfect your interviewing technique.

What are university interviews actually like?

Interviews can range from an 'exam out loud' (it's safe to expect this from an Oxbridge interview) to an informal chat designed to encourage you to choose that course. They can last anything from ten minutes to an hour and are usually, though not always, conducted by one interviewer.

They can also vary depending on the subject you're applying to study - for example, English students may have to discuss a poem with their interviewer, while maths applicants might be asked to solve an equation.

Our uni interview subject guide offers some subject-specific tips, from chemistry to classics.

Some top university interview tips

Above all, tutors want to see that you're genuinely enthusiastic about your subject. Your application has done enough to persuade them so far, so try to just be yourself.

Tutors may ask you to expand on any claims you made in your personal statement which demonstrate your particular interest in the subject - any extra research or work experience you've done, for example - so make sure your statement stands up to scrutiny.

Here are some tips from universities on what else interviewers want to see:

University of Bristol: 'Among other things, they will ask you about your reasons for wanting to study that particular subject and make sure you are aware of what the course involves and what the career options are. They will also assess your ability to communicate and to cope with stress.'

University of Kent: 'Interviewers will expect you to show some knowledge of the course and university, and have the ability to present your ideas and arguments well.'

University of Oxford: 'They are looking for evidence that you are thinking independently, that you are willing to engage with new ideas beyond the scope of your school or college syllabus, and that you are committed to your subject.'

Questions you might be asked in a university interview

These are hard to predict, so here are some pointers on what questions you may face in a uni interview:

Revisit the university prospectus and course details, thinking about how you'd answer questions such as 'why this course?' and 'why this university?'.

Re-familiarise yourself with your personal statement and be prepared to elaborate on anything you've said.

Get someone (who hopefully knows a bit about your subject) to give you a mock interview. Having some interview practice beforehand will help to boost your confidence and expose areas you need to work on.

Make sure you're aware of the latest issues in current affairs relevant to your subject - tutors may bring these into the discussion.

Prepare some questions to ask tutors - just make sure that they haven't already been answered in information you've been sent by the university.

To help you prepare we've also asked students to share their stories on what a uni interview is really like, as well as some of the more unusual interview questions you may be asked.

What questions should you ask in a university interview?

Asking good question will impress your interviewer just as much as good answers. Careers coaching experts Eyes Wide Opened explain more in this short video, which gives you two easy ideas to stand out - with the help of a former Scotland Yard hostage negotiator...

Watch now: University interview questions to ask

University interview tips and preparation - including what to wear

Look carefully through any material that is sent to you before the interview, so you know what to expect when you arrive.

Choose something suitable to wear. The university may offer dress code recommendations, but if not, dress in something you feel comfortable in that won't distract the interviewer from the points you want to make. Think smart!

Plan your journey. If an overnight stay is involved, plan for this as well. To avoid extra stress, give yourself plenty of time on the day. Plan to get there 15 minutes early and have contact details available in case you need to phone.

Take a look at what other tips students shared with us about how best to prepare for a university interview.
Interview techniques for on the day

It's not just what you say that's important - body language is key to the impression you'll make. Sit up straight, make eye contact and look (and sound!) interested. It's important to engage with the interviewer right from the start.

Let your interviewer take the lead when it comes to handshakes, sitting down, starting to talk, and so on.

Listen carefully to the question and don't be afraid to take some time to think about your answer or ask them to repeat it - you won't be penalised!

Remember, an interview is a two-way process. Make the most of it by finding out as much as you can about the course (including teaching methods) and getting a feel for whether the course and the university are right for you.

Whatever the format of your interview, try to contribute to the discussion as well as responding to what your interviewer asks you.

​​​​There is no such thing as the perfect interview, or the perfect answer to a question an interviewer might throw at you. As much as possible, just try to relax and see it as an opportunity to discuss a subject you and your interviewer share an interest in.
Good luck!

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How to prepare for a university interview

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Been invited to an interview by a uni and juggling feelings of satisfaction, panic and terror all at once? Get ready with these university interview tips... While it's natural to be nervous, having an idea of what to expect can help you to shine on the day.

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The UCAS application process may seem a little daunting at first but there is a great deal of advice, guidance and support to get your application started. Here are some useful tips to consider at the beginning of the application process:

Firstly decide what type of undergraduate course to study.

The main application deadlines are in October, January, and March, depending on the course.

Up to five courses can be chosen, to increase the chance of getting a place

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This video is produced by UCAS and gives some tips before applying.
Explore the UCAS website for advice and guidance regarding applying. There is lots of great information that will support you in  making your application successful.

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How to choose the right undergraduate course for you

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Our information & advice helps you learn how to research your ideal subject, understand the type of course that suits you and where you should go to study.

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Everyone struggles writing their personal statement. Have a look at the videos which will help you to get started.

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Not sure what to do? Explore subjects, locations, universities, and colleges

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Read the article attached and watch the supporting video for a comprehensive guide.

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Next, you'll need to write about your personal skills and achievements. Universities like to know the abilities you have that'll help you on the course, or generally with life at university.
Don't forget to include evidence to back up why you're so excited about the course(s) you've chosen.

Be bold and talk about the achievements you're proud of.

Include positions of responsibility you hold, or have held, both in and out of school.

What are the things that make you interesting, special, or unique?

Your work experience and future plans are important to include. You should share details of jobs, placements, work experience, or voluntary work, particularly if it's relevant to your course.

Try to link any experience to skills or qualities that'll make you successful.

If you know what you'd like to do after as a career, explain how you plan to use the knowledge and experience that you'll gain to launch your career.

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How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement

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Stand out from the crowd by showcasing who you are and what you can bring to a university as you begin your undergraduate journey.

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Next Steps workshops will be held at certain times during the year. Speak with your tutor for further details or email CSR

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For more information access the following websites:

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For more information access the following websites:

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National Careers Service

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/

Open University
https://www.open.ac.uk/about/main/

Prospects
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice

CSR Group
https://www.csr-group.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CSR-Interview-Hints-and-Tips.pdf

https://www.csr-group.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/CSR-Writing-a-CV-and-Cover-Letter.pdf

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In 1969 one ambition changed the world, giving anyone, anywhere the power to learn. Established by the Royal Charter (pdf 235kb) and globally recognised, The Open University has pioneered distance learning for over 50 years, delivering exceptional teaching and outstanding support to students across the UK and the world.

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<p>
</p><div>
<div>
<h2>Latest update</h2>
<div>
<p>### Summer jobs 2025 A summer job is a great way to experience the world of work. You can gain new skills, make new contacts and build your experience - all while earning money. A summer job can be an excellent first step on a path to a career and new opportunities. [Search for seasonal jobs](https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/search?q=seasonal+jobs&w=&I133utm_source=DWPCorporate&utm_medium=Spotlight&utm_term=SeasonalJobs&utm_content=FaJ&utm_campaign=JobHelp). Visit [JobHelp](https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk/) for further advice and support on finding your next opportunity. ### Scheduled maintenance The Find a job service will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance on **15/07/2025, between 16:00 and 17:00**. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. ### Early Years and Childcare campaign The Department for Education is ramping up its early years and childcare recruitment campaign (England only). Don't miss out on the opportunities to 'Do something BIG. Work with small children.' Search by **Early Years** or **Wraparound Childcare** or look in the **Education & Childcare Jobs** advert category. This replaces **Education Jobs** from 01/08/24. You can also visit the [campaign website](https://earlyyearscareers.campaign.gov.uk/) for more information on early years and childcare careers.</p> 
</div>
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<p>You can search for jobs without an account, but to apply you need to create an account or sign in.</p>
<p><a href="https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/create-account"> Create account </a></p>
<p>Already have an account? <a href="https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/sign-in">Sign in</a></p>
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<p><a href="https://findajob.dwp.gov.uk/browse"> Browse all jobs </a></p>

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Summer jobs 2025 A summer job is a great way to experience the world of work. You can gain new skills, make new contacts and build your experience - all while earning money. A summer job can be an excellent first step on a path to a career and new opportunities.

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Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

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All Apprenticeships, Higher Technical Qualifications, and T Levels are based on occupations recognised by employers. The Occupational Maps bring these together to show where technical education can lead. There are 15 maps, one for each route.

They help employers and individuals to understand routes for progression and how occupations at different levels link together.

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IfATE approved technical qualifications are based on occupations recognised by employers. Our occupational maps bring these together to show where technical education can lead.